Derek Mason addresses the media as he is introduced as the new Vanderbilt football coach on Saturday. / Mark Humphrey, AP

by Jeff Lockridge, USA TODAY Sports

by Jeff Lockridge, USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE - Derek Mason practically guaranteed SEC East titles, declared that Vanderbilt had hired a winner and answered questions from the Nashville media in a determined, straightforward manner on Saturday morning.

This wasn't some rehearsed sales speech, according to Commodores athletics director David Williams.

"That's who he is," Williams said of his new football coach.

Good first impressions don't win ballgames, but Mason almost certainly won over the Vanderbilt fans listening to the words of his introductory news conference at McGugin Center.

Among the things he said was: "I'm never going to try and be James Franklin. I'm Derek Mason, your new head coach."

Mason, who was defensive coordinator at Stanford, replaced Franklin, who became Penn State's coach last Saturday after leading the Commodores to three consecutive bowlgames.

Vanderbilt has lost half of its 20 commitments since Franklin left. Three are now committed to Penn State and one has changed to Tennessee.

Mason said he would not go after Stanford's commitments, although he would take a look at the ones who were also being recruited by Vanderbilt.

"I'm not going to chase or get into what's happening with those players," Mason said. "If you say you have character then you change once the coach leaves you weren't committed to that process. I choose not to indulge in any of that conversation now."

Mason, who has never held a coaching job in the southeast, said: "Just so you know, I've recruited the southeast for eight years."

Mason said he had not contacted any Vanderbilt recruits yet.

"Most of these young men wanted to know who their head coach was going to be," Mason said. "Once they know, the resolve comes back."

He said once the new staff visits with the recruits and their families again, "They'll know that the vision is clear, the mission is clear. You'll like what you see on signing day."

Mason said he was sure he wanted Vanderbilt to be his first head coaching job.

"When this job came available .. I wanted this job. When I packed my bags, I packed a black suit and a Vanderbilt tie, just going to the interview."

"This is where I plan on spending the rest of my career."

"We graduate and educate young men who are going to change the world. SEC East title here we come. If you can't talk about it, you can't be about it."

He said he hopes to fill out 90 percent of his staff within the next 24-48 hours.

Williams said Vanderbilt "had over 65-70 different interests" for the job.

Williams thanked the football team. "When I met with the kids, they said, 'We got this. You guys go out and get us a good coach. We'll take care of the rest.'"

Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos said: "When Derek got through meeting with us we all looked at each other and said, 'This is our coach.'"